I could also mention the Leica M-6, if someone mentions Rollei, then... (don't burn me for heresy, I love both F2 and F3HP).

For me, the best SLR is the F2, and the best P&S is the Rolley 35.

Exactly :^) No power needed whatsoever—the battery for the lightmeter has lasted decades! Just get a pack full of film rolls and your set!

Mine belonged to my late grandfather. At one point Nikon was offering to trade digital cameras for old film Nikons. My mom and her sister brought this in to trade for a crappy digital camera! Luckily whoever was there said the camera was very valuable and told them to keep it. Oh, thank God.

That F2 is so tough it will outlive me!

I would never demean an F2. I would never part with mine either. If disaster of immense proportions should befall, negating all electro-magnetic energy, then it's my trusty F2 that could meet the challenge. No doubt what you had in mind alphanikonrex?

Go rake the forest boy!!! And take that Ol Yeller dog wit ya!!! Leave us old folks be :^)

Well then, excuse me and my F2! Humph.

Ah the good ol F3HP, youngsters today don't know "crap" about good cameras do they ted? :^)

I love my D90. I love that it that it's "free-film", has all the modern conveniences and has resurrected my interest in photography. But, I doubt it will prove as durable and provide as perfect utility as did my F3HP. I liked the F2AS, but the F3HP was smaller, quicker handling and just as capable, plus with motor attached it could burn through a 36 exposure roll in seconds.

I'm looking forward to a D300s and perhaps a D700. I'm a glutton for cameras abusing my budget.

Hey Willis, I absolutely agree with you on the D40. A wonderful little camera that you can take just about anywhere. I used to have one, but I traded it in for a D80, which eventually gave way to a D300 for me. I'd love to pick one up now as another body that you can take just about anywhere even though its not sealed. If you don't mind manual focusing it looks great with numerous lenses like the 70-200mm VR. The D40 body sells for $280 where I live now! I hear the D3000 is not as good either.

I completely agree with you, soap. There's no question image quality will only get better, but the D200's interface was a winner, with only minor tweaks done since then (thank heaven!). I've never tried a D2/D3 series camera, but I can't believe I'd like that better with the extra bulk. Or is that just sour grapes? I know I'd never turn one down or even the chance to use one.

I did misunderstand. Didn't know that's what you meant. Sorry.

On that level then I agree with you.

I think you misunderstood me, gentoo, speaking about the _body_ design and control layout - not the IQ.

Previous discussions on this topic:

Nikon's best digital "consumer" cameras
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=46

Nikon's best film cameras
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=495

["I believe the pinnacle of bodies was reached with the D200, and has plateaued with the 300 and 700."]

Nope

Anyway, for me the D300. I may upgrade but I think I will always hang on to that body. I like the D90 as well and liked the D40. Used D200 and D50 as well. Nothing like the D300. Not used the D700 but from what I've heard I would probably love it too.

I love my D40, but I'd love to get my hands on some of the older nikon bodies. I feel like Nikon wastes the knob on the top of my camera by having it select exposure mode (P,A,S,M,etc.). I just don't ever change it all that much.

I'd much rather have it set ISO or exposure like it did back in the day.... Of course now that we are about to be able to shoot ISO 104,000 maybe its not all that practical.

I hope that Nikon gets around to making a low megapixel DX camera with the same low light performance as the D3. That would be my ultimate fun-cam.

Great responses especially with the film bodies. The F5 and F100 sure have made a lot of people happy. I have loved my D300, but have always wanted to go full frame and step up to the D700. I guess the thing with digital is your current body is only as good until the next release. Thats just the way it goes with technology today. It seems these releases come fast and furiosly year by year, where as before a good film body could last you at least 10 years. I agree with you Soap that Nikon really stepped up to the plate so to speak when they released the D200 and have improved their digital bodies each year since its release in 2005. Sounds like the D4 will dazzle us the way the D3 did with a potential completely redesigned sensor. Gotta love Nikon! ^ ~

Soap, you don't imply that Nikons will get worse...?

I needed to elaborate a bit on the D40 and the FM2. The FM2 is awesome in that it forced me to treasure every frame of film I take. The D40 in the sheer ease and speed from which I can learn photography. So both will have a great place in my heart.

I believe the pinnacle of bodies was reached with the D200, and has plateaued with the 300 and 700.

I agree with takefive. When I get my hands on a D5 that'll be my all time favorite. ;^)

For film, I would say the F2, for learning DSLRs I would say the D70, and for exceptional agility and inspirational performance I would say D300. Of course, these are the only Nikon SLRs I've owned!

They keep getting better and better. My D700 is the best I've owned so far.

D200

My D300 be far has been the most fun to use

My Minolta Maxx 7X was most fun film camera that I had, I almost went to Minolta DSLR, but then that Sony thing happened. I personally think that Sony could have paid more respect to who they bought it from

My first Camera was a Canon AE1, Bought in 1980 and I still have it

Pete

A pretty hard choice between the F5, and F100. Then again, I managed to half destroy an F100, so the F5 it is.

Well it has been discussed in older threads before, but I don't think there's harm in discussing it again.

I'm not sure for me. D40 or FM2. Those are the only two Nikon cameras I've shot with, and I'm damn happy that I've shot with both of them.

F2AS - greatest ever.